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"Check" is a noun which is often translated as "el cheque", and "check on" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "chequear". Learn more about the difference between "check" and "check on" below.
check(
chehk
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (payment)
3. (inspection)
a. la revisión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The border patrol did a perfunctory check of the trunk.La policía fronteriza hizo una revisión superficial de la cajuela.
b. el chequeo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I'm just going to give the engine a quick check.Solo voy a hacerle un chequeo rápido al motor.
4. (symbol)
b. la palomita (F) (Mexico)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
I put a check next to everything on the to-do list.Puse una palomita a cada punto de la lista de quehaceres.
5. (control)
a. el control (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
With no system of checks in place, chaos would reign.Sin sistema de control, dominaría el caos.
6. (material)
a. la tela a cuadros (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
We have the latest checks straight from the catwalk.Tenemos las últimas telas a cuadros directamente de la pasarela.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
7. (to inspect)
b. chequear (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
They have to check the containers.Tienen que chequear los contenedores.
8. (to verify)
9. (to stop)
a. detener
They managed to check the spread of malaria.Consiguieron detener la propagación de la malaria.
b. chequear (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
We need to get to the airport early because we have a lot of luggage to check.Tenemos que llegar temprano al aeropuerto porque tenemos mucho equipaje para chequear.
c. documentar (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Mexico
You have to check that suitcase, ma'am.Tiene que documentar esa maleta, señora.
11. (sports)
a. bloquear (in ice hockey)
I was going for goal but my opponent checked me into the boards at the last minute.Iba a marcar pero, en el último momento, mi oponente me bloqueó contra los muros.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
13. (to stop)
a. pararse en seco
The horse checked when it saw the wolf slinking out of the forest.El caballo se paró en seco al ver el lobo saliendo furtivamente del bosque.
14. (to verify)
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
16. (checkered)
a. de cuadros
There was a red check tablecloth on the table.Había un mantel de cuadros rojos sobre la mesa.
check on(
chehk
an
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. chequear
Check on the plants from time to time to make sure they don't dry out.Chequea las plantas de vez en cuando, para asegurarte de que no se hayan secado.
b. checar (Central America) (Ecuador) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Ecuador
Regionalism used in Mexico
Remind me to check on those cakes in ten minutes. I don't want them to burn.Recuérdame checar esos pasteles dentro de diez minutos. No quiero que se quemen.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The farmer went out to check on the ewes who were about to give birth.El granjero salió a ver cómo iban las ovejas que estaban a punto de parir.
When the builders were doing my house extension, I went over every day to check on their progress.Cuando los albañiles estaban haciendo la ampliación de mi casa, iba a diario a comprobar cómo avanzaba el trabajo.
a. comprobar
I'll lend you my membership card to get in. They never check on anyone's identity.Te presto mi carnet de socio para que entres. Nunca comprueban la identidad de la gente.
b. verificar
As an employer, we always check on candidates' qualifications before making a job offer.Como empleadores, siempre verificamos el currículum del candidato antes de ofrecerle un trabajo.
c. hacer averiguaciones sobre
When you told me she had worked for Charlecote Brothers, I checked on her, and you were right.Cuando me dijiste que había trabajado para Charlecote Brothers, hice averiguaciones sobre ella, y tenías razón.
